Cost of divorce surges with London leading most expensive location for marital splits

BREAKING up is getting harder to do, not just on the heart but the pocket too, with the average cost of marital splits spiralling upwards.

Although the divorce rate in Britain fell two per cent last year charges are increasing

Although the divorce rate in Britain fell two per cent last year, with 128,000 break-ups in England, Scotland and Wales, charges are increasing, according to new findings.

Part of the reason is the cut in aid available to pay for legal expertise that came into force last April.

But it matters a lot where you decide to say ‘I won’t any more’ as the fees now being charged are not spread equally, varying dramatically depending on where you live.

London, no surprises here, tops the charges league with £350.50 per hour demanded by grade A or B divorce solicitors services, research from online divorce site, DivorceDepot.co.uk found.

An average uncontested divorce will set a couple in the capital back £2,453.50 based on a bill for seven hours work. Top legal eagles come in at around £1,000 plus per hour.

Cardiff weighs in as the second city best to avoid if you want to untie the knot, with a solicitor’s average hourly rate around £262.

Bournemouth, with all those well-heeled older folk, isn’t far behind either, with £252.25 per hour or £1765.25 for a whole divorce service.

Cardiff weighs in as the second city best to avoid if you want to untie the knot, with a solicitor’s average hourly rate around £262

Cities in the Midlands and the North of England also made the top 10 price list, with Birmingham (£247.50/hour), Newcastle (£252/hour), Manchester (£242/hour), York (£228/hour) and Leeds (£227.50/hour) all proving profitable spots for legal teams.

Divorce Depot consultant Susan Eskinazi says: “London’s figures are to be expected, but not so much those cities in the north of England given the income divide between north and south.

“With more than 200,000 people this year no longer eligible for legal aid people are struggling to meet the costs of divorce themselves and none will feel it more keenly in the north with its lower average wages.”

The price hike, she adds, is speeding the flight to online or 'DIY' divorces where costs average £50 for an online application plus court fees.